Rome - The Vatican

Can't see Rome on an empty stomach. Pizza all around... mental note to ask the price first; we almost fell over at our first day's lunch bill - Euro 37... about $60. For pizza.

St. Pater's Basilica... St. Peter was buried at the site of the church and said to still be entombed below. The dome was designed by Michelangelo.

The Vatican Museum has lots of Egyptian ancient art, including a mummy over 3000 years old. Still intact. Those Egyptians knew how to pack a body. The kids liked comparing the Egyptian art to the much more active and detailed Roman art.

The kids post by an Egyptian sarcophagus. You can tell it was a beautiful day.

Now here's a sculpture!

Then on to the beautiful paintings in the Vatican by Raphael...

Ric's favorite, "The School of Athens" depicts Plato and Aristotle, the Thinkers and the Scientists and their differing beliefs about rational thought. Raphael included himself in the painting and Michelangelo, who at the time it was painted, was working on the Sistine Chapel down the hall...

Ric tried to take some contraband shots of the Sistine Chapel. I'm surprised we didn't get kicked out. Actually trying to explain the painting and the biblical references, the guards violently shushed me. No photos, no video and no talking.

The inside of St. Peter's Basilica.

The Vatican is kept safe by the Swiss guards. Surprising that they can even think straight wearing these ridiculous clothes. Apparently their reputation is that they are real bad-asses.

And so we wrapped up the day, gelato of course, for the kids who walked miles and miles to witness the birthplace of Christianity. Tomorrow the Colosseum and Rome's bloody, violent past.